Practicing Science LESSON 1 – SKILLS OF SCIENCE MS. CABRERA

Science is a way of learning about the natural world. Scientific Investigation is the way which scientists study the natural world. What are the processes of science?

o bserving means using one or more of your senses to gather information. Quantitative - Deals w/ #’s or amounts Qualitative - Deals w/ a description that cannot be expressed in #’s

When you explain or interpret the things you observe, you are inferring or making an Inference

Predicting means making a statement or a claim about what will happen in the future based on past experience.

Hypothesis Written in “If _________________, then________________” format

Classifying is the grouping together of items that are alike in some ways.

Variables are factors that affect the result of an experiment.  Independent Variable : manipulated variable, one variable that is purposely changed to test a hypothesis.  Dependent Variable: the factor that may change in response to the independent variable.  Controlled Variable: variable that is kept the same for the entire experiment.  Which gum lasts longer?  Which brand has the longest battery life?  Which paper towel absorbs the most water?

Making Models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes

Evaluating involves comparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them.